Safety razor



Oct. 15, 1940.

A. s; CARLSQN SAFETY RAZOR Original Filed Feb. 2a, 1937 ZShets-Sheet 2 m G 1 H w W5. W ,w m 3 1 3 a 1 4 X H 9 A J. m w k o V 8\ 4. 4; 2 Z 4 4. 1 1

Patented Oct. 15, 1940 smear SAFETY RAZOR Axel Carlson, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of one half to J. Curtis Blue, Brooklyn, N. X.

Application February 26, 1937, Serial No. 127,862

Renewed September 26, 1939 e 19' Claims.

My invention relates to a safety razor of the type in which a hinged clamping plate has a pivoting movement on its hinge and a movement parallel to a supporting plate. This movement being'for the purpose of bending a fiat double edged thin blade to a curved shape developed between the supporting and clamping plates.

My invention is somewhat of the type of my patent for Safety razor holder, Patent No. 2,024,-

626 issued December 17, 1935. The present application may in some respects be considered an improvement or a further development of the safety razor of my patent application, Serial No.

, 754,969, filed November 27, 1934, matured to. 16 Patent No. 2,064,884, dated December 22, 1936, and also of my patent application for" Safety razor Serial No. 19,256, filed May 1, 1935.

One of the characteristic and important features of my present invention is that on release of the clamping plate by turning the knob or head of the stem and thrusting this slightly upwardly that due to an action of a first spring operating adjacent the pintle of the hinge of the clamping plate, the pintle is elevated, thus loosening the grip of the clamping plate on the blade and permitting the blade to flatten from the arch shape when clamped. A further upward movement 'of the stem by a continued rotation of the knob at the lower end of the handle develops a rotational movement of a crankshaft which forms the pintle of the hinged clamping plate. Thus in conjunction with the fixed cam slot in whichthe pintle moves, the clamping plate swings from a position.

a parallel to the supporting plate to a full open potakes place without the necessity of the user touching the clamping plate to positively move the same by hand.

Likewise another characteristic and feature of my invention of my present razor is that on rotating the knob at the end of the handle in a reverse direction, that when the clamping plate is full open to permit placing a razor on the sup- 1 porting plate, that the stem is drawn down slightly and the clamping plate is swung by a spring action from its open to a closed position parallel to the supporting plate. the knob gives a quarter turn to the stem and in the head thereof bringing the head crosswise to the slot in the clamping plate with the blade parallel to the supporting plate. This action develops the arch shape of the blade. The same movement shifts the crank shaped pintle downwardly in the fixed guide slot in the pintle housing.

sition at right angles thereto. This action thus A further rotation of A further object and feature of my invention consists in developing the action by which the clamping plate swings from a loosened position parallel to the supporting plate to a full open an-' gular position by the action of a leaf spring se- 5 cured to the handle and operating on the pintle crank ofthe hinge by a link pivotally connected to the spring. This spring also permits the clamping plate to be moved by hand from its full open to a position substantially parallel to be spaced 10 from the sup orting plate by a reverse action on the leaf spring. A further feature of my invention is controlling the movement of the leaf spring by a cam on the stem. This cam has a cylindricalv enlargement anda conical shoulder. The shoulder through the medium of 1a lug on the leaf spring forces such spring outwardly as the stem is pulled down but when the stem moves upwardly the lug rides ofi the cylindrical enlargement onto the conical shoulder, thus allowing an inward movement of the leaf spring towards the stem and thus giving a pullon the link which link rotates the crank pintle.

Another object and feature of my invention resides in the use of a spring mounted in the hinge or pintle housing. This spring engages the link actuating the pintle crank normally urging-this upwardly and hence when the clamping plate holds a blade in clamped operating position, the upward movement of the stem caused by rotation of the knob on the end of the handle releases the clamping plate so .that this spring in the hinge housing can move the pintle crank upwardly and hence position the clamping plate so that it may swing open under the action of the leaf spring. An initial opening movement is also given to the clamping. plate by a shoulder on the stem underneath the clamping head on the end of the stem thrusting upwardly on the underside of the clamping plate. I I A further feature of my invention is the char-- acteristic of the crank pintle and the two aligned slots in the pintle housing to accommodate the crank, The upper end of the slots has a partially circular shape to form a partial-bearing for the circular portion of the crank, this having a'flattened side. The lower portion of the slots has a guide edge which when the pintle is turned, is engaged by the flattened sides of the crank. The crank pintle may thus raise and lower in. these aligned slots and rotate one-quarter turn under the action of the leaf spring secured to the handle and the cam for operating such spring.

' Another feature of my invention resides in the comb guard on the supporting plate having a section spaced from the edge of the blade so that the cutting edge of the blade does not touch any of the guard teeth, thus giving the full edge of the blade for purposes of shaving. Another detail feature of my invention is having the lower end of the stem rotatably mounted in a nut portion of the operating knob, the nut being located within the handle. The knob projecting beyond the handle has a recess to accommodate a plug threaded tightly on the projecting end of the stem. A resilient washer between the plug and the base of the socket recess gives a resilient connection of the stem to the plug to effect the longitudinal and also rotational movement of the stem.

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the handle supporting and clamping plates, the hinge housing, such section being taken substantially on the line li of Fig. 5 in the direction of the arrows. This figure illustrates the clamping plate in its full open position with the crank pintle at its uppermost position in the guide slots and the lug on the leaf spring engaging the conical cam shoulder on the stem.

Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1 but showing the clamping plate in the initial position when released from the clamping head on the stem and immediately before the lug on the leaf spring rides off the cylindrical cam enlargement onto the conical shoulder, the crank pintle being in its elevated position.

Fig 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2 showing the clamping plate in clamping relation to the supporting plate with a razor blade clamped therebetween and showing the crank pintle in a lowered position.

Fig. 4 is a partial section similar to Fig. 3 on a larger scale.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line ll' of Fig. 4 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a partial section similar to Fig. 1 of the hinged pintle construction, portions being omitted to illustrate the movement of the pivot portion of the crank.

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8 with the pintle in the position shown in Fig. 2. 1

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Figs. 8 and 9 with the pintle shown in the position of Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. ll. is a plan of the crank pintle.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line |2l2 of Fi 11 in the direction of the arrows.

In my invention I employ a tubular handle II. This has a substantial tubular block l2 at the top welded or. otherwise secured to the handle. Formed integral with this is the supporting plate It. A circular central perforation M is formed in the supporting plate. Below this the block !2 has a cut-out section l5, this having a partly cylindrical wall it, an opening I! on one side,

the bottom of the opening being defined by the transverse shoulder i 8. There is also a slot 20 in the block !2 extending upwardly from the upper end of the handle. The block also has a recess 2! extending inwardly from this slot.

A lea spring 25 (note particularly Fig. 4) is secured to the block l2, the lower end of the spring fitting in the recess 2| and abutting the shoulder 25. A screw 21 extending through the spring into the block l2 adjusts a tension on the spring. The spring is under tension to normally move inwardly towards the center of the block in the direction of the arrows 28. A lug 29 is formed of two plates forming ears in which there is an inner portion 3% extending inwardly and having a roller 33 mounted thereon. The axis of the roller is transverse to the axis of the block. There is also an outer end 52 projecting outwardly beyond the leaf spring The block 52 has a downwardly extending neck 35 (note particularly Figs. 1 and 2) located inside the handle and a sleeve section In this neck and sleeve there is formed a Z shaped slot 3? having a vertical portion 35 in the neck, a sloping section 39 and a lower vertical section 1!] in the sleeve portion. Through this sleeve extends the stem 4! which is cylindrical in the portion passing through the block including the neck and the sleeve 35 and this stein has a pin t2 extending radially therefrom and operative in the Z shaped slot 31. The upper end of the stem has a reduced neck 42 with a cylindrical enlargement d3 thereabove which extends through the cylindrical opening id of the clamping plate and fits in the partly cylindrical section :5 of the cut-out section l5. An annular cone type of cam M with the apex downwardly connects the cylindrical portion of the stem with the cylindrical enlargement 53. Above this enlargement there is the top extension 55 of the stem provided with an elongated head 46. This head has the laterally projecting ends 8? forming the long measurement. In the opposite direction the head is flattened on the sides as indicated at l8, Fig. 3, being approximately the same width as the diameter of the extension 35.

The stem may be operated up and down and also given a quarter turn in somewhat the same manner as described in my prior patent and patent application above mentioned. In the present construction however the lower end of the tubular handle I i has internal coarse threads 55 and a recess 56 at the bottom. The knurled knob 57 has an upwardly extending neck 58 with an integral coarse threaded nut 59 thereon engaging the coarse threads 55 of the handle. The lower end of the stem il continues the cylindrical section below the sleeve 35 of the block [2 and has a right angular shoulder 59 with a Wear washer 66' and from this there extends a smaller diameter stem section 6E, this passing through the nut and having the lower end 62 threaded. This is engaged by a threaded socket 63 in a plug 64, the plug extending upwardly through the central bore 65 of the knurled knob 5'5, the plug having a screwdriver keri 56. A spring washer 61 seats between the base of the bore 65 and the inner end of the plug til. Therefore by means of this plug which may be threaded over the threads 62, the stem may readily be assembled in the handle and secured from longitudinal movement in the knob. However the knob has a sufiiciently loose fit at the bore 35 on the plug 54 and the stem 6i has also a slightly loose fit in the nut portion so that the stem may rotate a quarter turn; Any looseness is taken up by the spring Bl. Thus by rotating the knob 51 it is threaded in and out of the end of the handle, thus giving a longitudinal movement to the stern and the stem is given a quarter turn by the movement of the pin 52 in the Z shaped slot 31. This quarter turn rotates the head 46 from a position having its long diameter transverse to the supporting plate to a position having its long diameter'positioned longitudinally of the center of such supporting plate.

A hinge housing 15 is formed of a boxlike structure having an outside wall 16, an inner wall 11 with a slot 18 therein, two opposite sides 19 which areiormed similar and a removable base plate 80- The side walls 19 have a guide slot 8| having the rounded portion 8 la at the top and a depending'portion 8!?) with an inner edge Bic. A spring housing tube 82 is located in the housing being confined by a rib 83 on the base and in this tube is a slidably mounted plug 84 with a stem 85 connected to the plug and. extending upwardly above the tube. A compression spring 86 engages the base 36 and the plug,v exerting an upward pressure on the plug.

A crank operating link designated by the assembly numeral Ellis pivotedat'its inner end 9! to the outer end 32 of the lug 29 which lug as above described, is attached to the leaf spring 25. This link extends through the slot '58, there being a slight reduction shoulder 92 and inside the shoulder is a straight edge portion 93 which is contacted by the upper end of the stem 85 so that the action of the spring 36 tends to elevate the outer end of the link which link is provided with a hook 94 having a straight edge on the inside surface.

The pivot crank Hill has a central crank section It! to be engaged by the hook 94 of the link 96 and has a bearing section 12 with a part circular portion ili3and flattened sides Hi4, these being located to operate in the slot 85. The projecting ends I65 have the ends lilo of the arms 58'! secured thereto by rivets or the like as indicated at m8 in Fig. 7. These arms it? have a lower section Hi9 extending from the, crank pin- .on-the upper end of the stem, the slot being slightly wider than the Width of the head between the fiat sides 48 and slightly longer than the measu ement between the ends 4'! so that when the head is aligned with the slot it may move through the slot but when transverse thereto it may engage the clamping plate and move this to clamp in relation with the supporting plate.

A feature of the construction of the clamping and supporting plates resides inthe arched 1111- per surface i 23 .of'the supporting plate and the complementary undersurface 52! of the clamping plate in order to clamp the blade 922 therebetween. The supporting plate has a comb guard 123 on its opposite edges but this guard has an undercut longitudinal recess I24 (note Fig.7). Thus the cutting edge l25 of the blade on both sides is located spaced from this recess and also spaced from the two parallel edges G25 of the clamping plate. For the purpose of centering the blade the clamping plate is provided with shallow recesses I21 on its underside which fit bosses I28 on the supporting plate. The blade is provided with perforations l29 to fit around these bosses, thus centering the blade. Suchblade is normally fiat and is bent into an arch shape when the clamping plate moves parallel to the supporting plate as hereinunder described.

The manner of operation and iunctioning of 'my invention is substantially as follows: Prethe roller 3| engages the conical cam portion 44 on the stem or is below this portion, therefore the spring 25 is in its retracted position towards the center of the handle and this retracting action pulls the link 90 so that the hook 94 rotates the crank portion [ill of the crank pintle Hill. The compression spring 85 also thrusting up on the plunger 84 and stem 85 thrusts the link 90 upwardly and hence causes the partly cylindrical ends I02 of the crank pintle'to be positioned in the upper circular part 8112. of the guide slots 8|. On account of the pull on the crank towards the center of the stem, the crank pintle is rotated, thus positioning the clamping plate in its full open position of Fig. 1. A blade may then be centered in the supporting plate.

In the operation of closing the clamping plate a rotation of the knob 51 causes a downward movement of the stem with the pin 42 moving in the vertical part 38 of the Z shaped slot 31. This action causes the roller 3| to ride upwardly on the cone cam 34 to the cylindrical enlargement 43 of the stem which action bends the leaf spring 25 outwardly and at the same time gives an outward thrust on the link 90 causing a rotation of the crank pintle. This rotates the clamping plate from its full open position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2.but spaced from the supporting plate. In this position the crank pintle is still in the upper end ills of the guide slot 8|. A further downward movement of the stem 4| on turning the knob 51 gives the right angular turn to the head 46 by the pin 32 riding in the sloping part of the slot 37. This positions the head 46 crosswise to the slot [01 in the clamping plate so that this plate is pulled downwardly in a parallel motion to clamp a blade between the supporting andthe clamping plates. This action moves the pintle crank downwardly in the guide slot, 8lb, the link 90 swinging on its pivot {ii and also by depressing the plug 84 compressing the spring 86. The razor is thus in position for shaving. Note Figs. 3, 4 and 10.

The action giving the automatic opening is the reverse procedure in which the upward movement of the stem slightly releasing the head 46 from the clamping plate brings the top of the cylindricalenlargement 43 under the clamping plate causing the slight elevation of the clamping plate at the same time the spring 86 forces the link 90 upwardly and thus elevates the pintle crank to its high position in the guide slots ill. The further upward movement of the stem causes the roller 3| to roll off the cylindrical enlargement 43 onto the conical cam shoulder M and on account of the action of the leaf spring an inward pull is given to the link 9t, thus rotating the crank pintle and causing the clamping plate to make a quick opening from the position of Fig. 2 to thatof Fig. 1. When the clamping plate is fully open it may be depressed by the fingers, this giving an outward pull to the link 99 and to the leaf spring 25.

It is to be noted that when the pintle crank is in its uppermost position in the partly circular section 8Ia of the guide slot 8i that the cylindrical part Hi3 of the end portions N32 has a bearing on the circular section 8103 and the flattened sides 1104 are horizontal and uppermost as shown in the detail of Fig. 8. When the pintle crank is rotated in this position one-quarter turn from the position of Fig. 8 to that of Fig. 9, the flattened sides I04 are brought to a vertical or a nearly Vertical position. This is shown in Fig. 9.

When the clamping plate is moved to clamp 21.

blade in tight relation to the supporting plate, the crank pintle necessarily moves downwardly in the portion 8!!) of the guide slots 8| so that the flat sides Hit of the crank pintle are contiguous to the inside guide edges Sic as shown in Fig. 10. It will be noted that this edge We draws towards the handle and will thus give a slight compensation for the radial distance from the roller 3! to the crank section iii! engaged by the hook 94. This however is not sufficient to cause the clamping plate to dis-align the recess E2? in the clamping plate from the bosses l 28 in the supporting plate. Hence, the clamping plate when pulled downwardly by a parallel motion to engage, arch and clamp a blade, gives an even arching and clamping pressure on the blade, thus assuring that the edges I25 of the blade will be positioned above the longitudinal recesses i124. It is to be noted that the end portions 138 of the comb guard are co-nvexly curved and may thus engage the skin giving a pressure and flattening on the skin over a considerable area and thus bring'the cutting edges I25 into engagement with the hair to be shaved at the desired distance from the skin Thus a person may readily by the feel of the razor obtain a close shave, that is, close to the skin or cut the hairs slightly spaced from the skin.

Various changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a safety razor having a handle with a supporting plate, a clamping plate having a hinged connection to the supporting plate, such hinge including a crank shaped pintle and means for operating said crank to develop a rotation of the pintle to swing the clamping plate from a position parallel to the supporting plate to an open position at substantially right angles thereto.

2. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 1, the means to operate the crank including a longitudinally movable stem in the handle and a means acting between the stem and the crank to rotate the crank.

3. In a safety razor having a handle with a supporting plate, a clamping plate hinged thereto, said hinge including a crank pintle with one portion ofthe pintle rigidly connected to the clamping plate, a spring, a connection from the spring to the crank to rotate the crank in one direction and means to actuate the spring in an opposite direction for giving a reverse rotation to the crank, the rotation of the crank swinging the clamping plate from a position parallel to the supporting plate to an open position at right angles thereto.

4. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 3, the means to actuate the spring comprising a stem longitudinally movable in the handle and having a cam device with an inter-acting means between the cam and the spring to move the spring in a reverse direction to that of its natural tension.

5. In a safety razor having a handle, a supporting plate rigidly connected thereto, a clamping plate, a hinged connection between the supporting and clamping plates, such hinge having a crank pintle with one portion of the clamping plate rigidly connected to the pintle, a longitudinally movable stem in the handle having a cam thereon, a spring, an inter-acting means between the spring and the cam whereby on movement of the cam a movement of the spring is developed and an operative connection between the spring and the crank to rotate the crank pintle and hence swing the clamping arm between positions parallel to the supporting plate and an open position at right angles thereto.

6. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 5, the

hinge having a hinge housing with slots therein, the crank pintle being operative in said slots, means on the stem to engage the clamping plate to move such plate from a position parallel to the supportingplate but spaced therefrom to a position contiguous thereto, the said pintle at the same time moving downwardly in the said slots.

7. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 5, the hinge having a hinge housing with slots therein, the pintle crank extending through the said slots, an elevating spring with means to transmit a lift from the elevating spring to the pintle whereby the spring urges the pintle upwardly from a low to a high position in the said slots.

8. In a safety razor, a handle with a supporting plate connected thereto, a clamping plate having a hinged connection to the supporting plate, such hinge including a crank shaped pintle, a leaf springconnected to the handle and tensioned to move towards the center of the handle, a link connection from the spring to the crank and means to move the spring and thereby cause a rotation of the crank to swing the clamping plate between positions parallel to the supporting plate to an open position at right angles thereto.

9. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 8, the means to move the spring comprising a longitudinally movable stem in the handle having an inwardly sloping cam with a high supporting surface, a contacting means between the spring and the cam whereby when the contacting means engages the high point of the cam the clamping plate is parallel to the supporting plate and when the contacting means rides off the high part of the cam, the spring exerts a tension on the link moving the clamping plate from a position parallel to the supporting plate to its open position.

10. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 8, the hinge having a hinge housing with slots with partly rounded upper ends and an inner edge extending downwardly therefrom, the pintle having aligned sections with a flat surface extending through said slots with the crank therebetween, the means to move the spring including a stem longitudinally movable in the handle and also rotatable, the stem having a head with means on the clamping plate to be engaged by said head to move the clamping plate parallel to the supporting plate and thereby move the pintle in said slots.

11. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 8, the hinge having a hinge housing with a pair of guide slots with a partly circular upper end and a depending portion with an inner edge, the pintle having aligned sections partly circular with a flattened side extending through the slots with the crank therebetween, the means to move the spring including a stem longitudinally movable in the handle and also rotatable, the stem having a head with means on the clamping plate to be engaged by-said head to move the clamping plate parallel to the supporting plate and thereby move the pintle in the said slot, the stem also having a cam with an enlarged cylindrical surface and a conical surface therebelow, a roller connected to the spring to operate on said surfaces whereby in the longitudinal movement and the rotational movement of the stem the said roller rides on the cylindrical and the conical surfaces.

' longitudinal movement of the stemto rotate the pintle on its axis and thereby turn the clamping plate in reference to the axis of the pintle, the head of thestem being operative to move the clamping plate towards the supporting plate to a clamping position, the said pintle in such movement having a downward movement in the said slots of the hinge housing.

13. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 12, the stem having means to engage the underside of the clamping plate to move said plate away from the supportingplate but parallel thereto, a spring in the hinge housing, an operative connection between said spring and the hinge pintle to raise the pintle whereby the pintle is'elevated in the said slots prior to a rotational movement of the clamping plate to open or close said" plate in reference to the supporting plate.

14. In asafety razor, a handle with a supporting plate connected thereto, a hinge housing, a clamping plate hinged thereto for rotation on the pintle of the hinge, a leaf spring attached to the handle, a stem in the handle, means to move the stem longitudinally of the handle, the stem having an integral cam with a cylindrical raised portion and a conical cam end, a contact means between the springv and the cam and an inter-acting means between the spring and the pintle to rotate the pintle on the movement of the spring, said movement being developed by the riding of the contact means on the said cam.

15. In a safety razor as claimed in claim 14, the clamping plate having a narrow slot, the stem having an elongated head, means to rotate the stem whereby the head may pass through the slot and be turned transversely thereto to develop a positive and parallel movement of the clamping plate in reference to the supporting plate, the hinge housing having slots, the pintle being operative in said slots to move up and down therein during the parallel movement of the clamping plate in reference to the supporting plate. y

16. In asafety razor as claimed in claim 14,

the hinge housing having a pair of slots, the

pintle extending therethrough, the stem having means to engage the clamping plate and 'po'si tively move said plate from a clamped position continugous to the supporting plate to a position spaced therefrom but parallel thereto, a spring in the hinge housing, an operative con nection between the spring and the pintle to move the pintle upwardly in said slots.

17. In a safety razor as claimed in claim '14, the means to move the'stem in the handle including a nut threaded in the handle remote from the supporting plate, the nut having a knobv connected thereto projecting beyondthe end of .the handle, the nut having a longitudinal cylindrical bore, the stem having a reduced cylindrical section extending through said bore, means to secure the reduced sectionof the stem to the nut for longitudinal movement therewith at the same rate but to permit the nut to rotatewithout,

rotating the stem.

18. In asafety razor, a tubular handle having a supporting plate at one end, a clamping plate hinged thereto, the clamping plate having a narrow slot, a stem in the handle, a nut threaded in the end of the stem, a knob connected to the nut and projecting beyond the end of. the

handle, the stem having a reduced section, there being a bore in the nut with such reduced sec- .tion extending ther'ethrough, a plug connected to the end of the stem projectingthrough the nut with means for moving the stem longitudinally with the nut but permitting rotation of the nut without rotating the stem, a fixed structure with a Z shaped slot, a pin secured to the stem operative in said slot, the stem having a narrow head to extend through the slot of the clamping plate, the Z'shaped slot with the pin causing a right angle rotation of the stem in its longitudinal movement to position the head of the stem either in alignment with ,or crosswise to the slot of the clamping plate.

19. In a safety razor, the combination of a supporting plate with a handle having a pintle housing with a pair of slots on opposite sides,

each slot having an upper end partly circular with a depending portion having an inner edge towards the handle, a crank shaped pintle pin ing partly circular with a flattened side with a crank therebetween, a clamping plate having fitted in said slots, the portion in such slots beflattened sides adjacent the edge towards the handle to move the clamping plate betweena position having clamping relation to the supporting plate toa' position spaced therefrom.

AXEL s. CARLSO'N. I 

